This is a simple throw-together dish I came up with that is great for a Sunday after-church meal. Note: You can fry your own bacon for this recipe. I like the taste of bacon but cannot handle the lingering smell it leaves in the house when you fry it, so I just buy the jarred bacon for the few times a year I use it.

This is the result of combining bits and pieces of other recipes to reflect what is, to me, the perfect lumpia. They are, in an acronym, TDF! (IIDSSM) I make a simple dipping sauce that I also use with gyoza (pot stickers) which is simply equal parts soy sauce and rice vinegar sprinkled with sesame seeds.

A friend I worked with long ago brought this to a potluck. We begged her for the recipe, but she was reluctant to give it up. We wore her down and she finally gave in. This is a different type of cole slaw that really makes a pretty dish. I love the variety of textures and flavors with the beans, cabbage and bacon.

This is from a wonderful book, The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook, by Hensperger and Kaufmann. It makes a wonderful, creamy oatmeal with no watching or muss or fuss. Definitely use steel-cut oats, which have a wonderful texture, so superior to the regular stuff. I usually use dried cranberries, raisins or currants, instead of the dates.

On a rare occasion we have leftover mashed potatoes. Using recipe #27361 (the BEST), I added a modern twist to my mom's old Southern recipe. Increase or decrease onion, garlic, hot sauce, and S&P as to your preference. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Bet you can't eat just one!

This is a great quick recipe that's meatless and light. You can lighten it even more by using lower fat ingredients. Great for kids to make! This is a microwave recipe, but can be made in the oven. Also, ricotta cheese is easily substituted for the cottage cheese, if you prefer!

This dish is loaded with flavor and makes a lovely, colorful presentation. You'll want to serve with plenty of rice to absorb the wonderful sauce. (Noted added 11/05/07: I like to credit original recipe sources when known, but wasn't sure about this one when I submitted the recipe. Fortunately, a reviewer pointed out that the recipe came from Cooking Light, so I searched their site--indeed, it was originally published in their September 2002 issue. Thanks to the reviewer for bringing this to my attention, and thanks to Cooking Light for developing the recipe! :) )

From www.TopSecretRecipes.com I got this copycat recipe off of Top Secret Recipes site.I love Friday's Black Bean Soup because of its spiciness and I was so happy to find this! This is so easy to prepare! You can make this soup on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.I brought this soup to a boil on the stove and then put it in the slow cooker and let it simmer on low for 2-3 hours. If you like black bean soup, you're gonna love this!